Many technological advances have come about in the last fifteen years that are very helpful to the spread of the Gospel.  Things such as the internet provide the opportunity to take the Gospel around the world with a click of a button.  However, with these great tools, there also is the opportunity for abuse of these tools.  The goal of this article is to cause not only preachers, but also other members of the body of Christ to consider some of the dangers that come with these great technological advances.  This article should in no way be misconstrued and said to be a charge on all brethren who use technology.  Many times these technologies are used effectively and wisely.  The website that I operate (for an example) averages around six hundred visitors per day.  That is a great tool for evangelism.  However, some brethren are caught up so much in these things that they have left behind what they should be doing.

     In speaking of the “electronic preacher” I am not at all condemning the use of technology.  What I do find troubling however is the abuse of such.  For example; I preached a Gospel Meeting not too long ago where the preacher frequently used a multimedia projector and the Microsoft PowerPoint program.  On Sunday morning I began preaching and I noticed a very troubling thing – very few brethren were turning in their Bibles to see if the things I was preaching were correct (Acts 17:10-11).  I began mentioning the problem I saw from the pulpit and gradually I noticed during the week more brethren began bringing and using their Bibles.  So, why didn’t they bring them in the first place?  The preacher uses his multimedia projector and puts the scriptures on the overhead screen.  In so doing, he was able to just read them from his laptop and the members were able to read them from the projector screen.  Some say: “what’s wrong with that?  It looks great, I don’t have to turn in my Bible, and I not bored, etc.”  First off, the preacher’s preparation consists of cutting and pasting verses from a Bible program not turning in his Bible and memorizing his material.  Second of all, the members lose the practice of turning in their Bibles and they put confidence in the preacher’s word that those scriptures are accurately quoted.  This is not examining the message and it certainly is not equipping yourself to give and answer (I Peter 3:15).

     A major problem with the electronic preacher is their inability to preach without their “power tools”.  Again, this does not apply to everyone using technology, but there are certainly a few it does apply to.  A preacher in a Gospel Meeting a couple of years ago was preaching on divorce and remarriage.  Part way through his projector stopped working.  He ceased his lesson, tried to fix the problem, and then tried to continue on without his projector.  The lesson obviously got shorter and he was unbelievably uncomfortable.  A true preacher of the word of God knows the word of God from his studies (I Timothy 4:13) and he is able to speak his prepared lesson even when the power goes out.  A congregation in Aiken County, SC has a computer system (monitor, CPU, mouse, and keyboard) in the pulpit.  The pulpit has a monitor screen built right into it.  The preacher does not even need a Bible for he can read right from his PowerPoint program as the audience reads off the screen.  Just think, if he is sick they do not even need him there they can just read what he was going to say.  What is happening to our generation?  Members of the church cannot find the book of Hosea in their Bibles, many preachers cannot preach without the cut and paste feature, and as a result many are unable to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3).

     Not too long ago I met with several preachers who were discussing some spiritual matters.  In that meeting there were some who brought their Bibles, some who did not, and in particular I recall one brother who brought his laptop computer.  I have joked many times about bringing my sword to tables of discussion as the word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).  This was the first time I had witnessed a man bring a computer to the table.  Later in discussion he mentioned to me that the laptop he had was equipped with a program that would even search multiple versions of the Bible and he could find a verse quickly.  When one becomes that dependent upon technology he has certainly exposed one of in his weaknesses.  A man that has been preaching the Gospel for any length of time should be able to prepare and answer with a Bible alone.

     About a year ago I received an email from a preacher.  He wanted to thank me for the sermon outlines I put on the internet.  He said “they are great for the times when Saturday night rolls around and I have nothing prepared to preach on.  Your outlines are easy to follow and make for little preparation.”  Brethren, years ago a true preacher had the reputation of being able to preach off the cuff.  A man could get up in the pulpit and preach from the overflow of knowledge from his studies.  Now, brethren find a good website with sermon outlines, print them, and enjoy their free time.  The problem is not only their failures to study as commanded (John 5:39), but they are also robbing the local church they are supported by as they are not doing the work they are supported to do.  A preacher of the word of God should have enough knowledge and study time to be able to mediate upon the word of God day and night (Psalms 1:2).  Every Christian should be able to teach someone from the word of God without needing to load up the laptop to find the answers (Hebrews 5:12; cf. I Peter 3:15).  When one spends all of their time pointing and clicking they are lacking in the time they should be holding and turning the pages of their Bibles.

     Email lists and discussion groups are a great tool for someone to use with moderation.  However, in these too there are many abuses.  There are preachers who are on many lists and all they do is exchange emails.  These abuses are not even a 32nd cousin to doing the work of an evangelist.  If a preacher spends all of his time typing away in needless discussions he spends little, or no time in doing his local work.  From being part of several discussion lists I have observed that the same discussions over a period of time just recycle and start all over again.  Certain members focus on certain subjects and thus it almost becomes predictable who will respond and what they will say.  At this point, discussion seems fruitless.  A preacher should spend a lot of time in study (II Peter 3:18), time doing the work of an evangelist (Acts 20:20), time doing the duties of a Christian (I Corinthians 15:58), and time doing the duties as a husband and father if such applies (Ephesians 5:22-25 and Ephesians 6:4).  That leaves little time to spend on email discussion lists (I did not say no time – just little time).

     The age of technology presents many good tools to the Christian for doing the work of the Lord.  Anytime a tool is given we would be amiss not to use it for the betterment of the kingdom.  It is the abuses of these tools that scare me.  Years ago members of the church of Christ had a reputation of being walking Bibles.  Brethren were respected for their knowledge and feared for their ability to give book, chapter, and verse.  I wish that I could have seen that, for today I sure am not witnessing it first hand.  Christians should be able to answer as did Jesus “it is written” (Matthew 4:4; 7; 10).

     A couple of years ago I attended a breakfast with several preachers.  Whenever I assemble with preachers I look forward to spiritual discussion.  What I have come to learn, at least from recent experiences, is not to expect to talk Bible with other preachers – they are incapable.  I attended a Gospel Meeting with Terry Nannie from the congregation here in Butler a year or so ago.  We saw a man preach with PowerPoint and even the local preacher was disappointed at the conclusion of the rather uninformative lesson.  The local preacher concluded the service by saying “he did not even touch the hem of the garment.”  Local congregations need to start demanding preachers to study and be ready and able to give an answer.  Preachers need to start teaching the members that they too need to be able teach the word of God to others.  Let us go from a people who struggle to find the book of Hosea to a people who can teach from the book of Hosea at the drop of a hat.  For if not, I fear this: (Hosea 4:6) “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”